Table of Contents
Why Qualcomm Stock Is Dropping and What Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Means for Investors
Introduction
The last time we wrote about Qualcomm was the article on the Always-on smartphone camera. Now, we are looking at Qualcomm from a different perspective. Stock, innovation and tehcnology.
Qualcomm has long been the backbone of smartphone performance. From powering Android flagships to driving 5G adoption, the company is synonymous with high-end mobile computing. Yet, in 2025, Qualcomm stock and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 are dominating conversations for very different reasons.
On one side, Qualcomm’s share price is under pressure, sliding from highs above $200 in early 2024 to the current range of $158.95–$161.51. On the other side, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is shaping up to be the most powerful smartphone chip ever built, rumored to deliver record-breaking benchmark results.
In this post, I’ll unpack why Qualcomm’s stock is losing momentum, break down the rumored specs of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and explain how these two narratives connect. I’ll also share my personal thoughts on whether this is a time to buy, hold, or stay cautious with Qualcomm shares.
Why Qualcomm Stock Is Falling
Qualcomm’s financial picture is complex. Despite healthy revenue, multiple structural challenges are weighing on investor confidence.
Apple Modem Revenue Cliff
Apple accounts for 27% of Qualcomm’s revenue. But the company is moving toward its own in-house modem design, expected between 2027 and 2028. That’s a projected $7.3–$7.8 billion annual revenue loss, equal to around 13–17% of Qualcomm’s earnings. Wall Street is already pricing in that hit.
👉 Related reading: Apple supply chain shift impacts Qualcomm
Licensing Weakness
Qualcomm’s licensing division, which contributes nearly 15% of total revenue, underperformed in Q3 2025. The expiration of a key agreement with Huawei left this segment stagnant, disappointing investors who had counted on steady licensing growth.
Trade Tensions with China
China accounts for 46% of Qualcomm’s sales. With U.S.–China relations tense, tariff risks remain a constant overhang. Analysts warn that further escalation could squeeze Qualcomm’s largest market.
👉 More context: Reuters on Qualcomm’s tariff challenges
Rising R&D Costs
Qualcomm spends aggressively to stay ahead in chip design. While this keeps it competitive, operating margins have slipped due to rising R&D expenses. Investors looking for near-term profitability are frustrated, even though those costs underpin Qualcomm’s leadership in mobile AI and gaming performance.
Market Competition
MediaTek has overtaken Qualcomm as the global leader in smartphone chipset market share, especially in budget and mid-range phones. Although Qualcomm dominates the premium tier, it faces pricing pressure and tougher competition.
Earnings Reaction
In Q3 2025, Qualcomm beat revenue estimates with $10.37 billion (+10% YoY) and EPS of $2.77 (versus $2.71 expected). Yet, the stock still fell 5–6% after earnings. Why? Because Wall Street remains focused on long-term risks rather than short-term beats.
👉 Source: CNBC Qualcomm Q3 earnings coverage
Investment Conclusion
Qualcomm’s stock decline reflects legitimate concerns about major revenue headwinds, particularly the impending loss of Apple’s modem business. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 demonstrates impressive technological advancement with record-breaking performance gains, it’s unlikely to significantly boost the stock in the near term given the structural challenges facing the company.
The chipset’s 50%+ performance improvement and industry-leading AI capabilities position Qualcomm well for the premium smartphone market, but investors remain focused on the company’s ability to diversify revenue streams and offset the substantial Apple-related losses expected by 2027-2028.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: What Smartphone Users Should Expect
Amid the stock slide, Qualcomm is preparing to launch its next flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. For smartphone users craving more speed, better gaming, and efficient AI processing, this could be the most advanced mobile chip yet.
Naming Strategy
Instead of releasing a “Snapdragon 8 Elite 2,” Qualcomm is moving toward a three-tier naming system:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 → Premium flagship
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 → High-end, slightly below Elite
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 → Mid-range option
CPU Architecture
The new chip features a 2+6 Oryon core setup:
- Two prime cores clocked at 4.61 GHz
- Six performance cores at 3.63 GHz
- Samsung may get a special 4.74 GHz version
GPU and Gaming
The Adreno 840 GPU runs at 1.20 GHz, compared to 1.10 GHz on the prior generation. That’s a 40% boost in gaming performance, plus native support for Unreal Engine 5’s Nanite technology.
Efficiency and Process Technology
Built on TSMC’s 3nm N3P process, this chip promises 5–10% efficiency gains compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite built on N3E.
Benchmark Leaks and Performance Gains
Early benchmarks suggest a massive performance leap.
AnTuTu Results
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is rumored to score 4.2–4.4 million points on AnTuTu v11. That’s 50–59% higher than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 at 2.67 million, and 5–10% ahead of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500.
👉 See leaked benchmarks here: Gizmochina Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 report
Table: Flagship Mobile Processor Benchmark Comparison (2024–2025)
| Processor | AnTuTu v11 Score | CPU Performance | GPU Performance | Efficiency Gains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | 4.2–4.4 million | +45% vs Gen 3 | +40% vs Gen 3 | 5–10% |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 | 2.67 million | Baseline | Baseline | Baseline |
| MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | 3.9–4.0 million | Slightly below Gen 5 | -5% vs Gen 5 | Similar |
Features Beyond Raw Speed
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 isn’t just about benchmarks.
- AI Processing: Delivers ~100 TOPS (trillion operations per second), over double Qualcomm’s prior laptop-class chip.
- Connectivity: Snapdragon X80 modem with 10 Gbps downloads and satellite support.
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, Ultra-Wideband, all at 40% less power draw.
- Memory & Cache: Expanded L2+L3 cache to 32MB total, speeding up data access.
Smartphones Expected to Use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- OnePlus 15 (Geekbench confirmed with 16GB RAM + Android 16)
- Xiaomi, Honor, iQOO, Realme (late 2025/early 2026)
- Samsung Galaxy S26 with high-binned 4.74 GHz variant
👉 Leak coverage: GSMArena on OnePlus 15 benchmarks
How Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Could Impact Qualcomm Stock
Positive Drivers
- Premium Positioning – Record performance helps Qualcomm retain its crown in the premium tier, where margins are highest.
- Diversification – Automotive and IoT segments are now 21% and 24% of revenue, reducing reliance on handsets.
- Competitive Edge – Stronger benchmarks than MediaTek keep Qualcomm top-of-mind for flagship buyers.
Constraints
- Apple Revenue Loss – No matter how powerful, this chip cannot replace the $7.3B+ annual shortfall looming from Apple’s modem exit.
- Smartphone Market Saturation – With global handset sales plateauing, performance gains don’t necessarily translate to massive unit growth.
- R&D Spending – Margins will remain pressured as Qualcomm invests in next-gen AI and 6G research.
👉 See analyst coverage: MarketWatch on Qualcomm earnings concerns
My Personal Take on Qualcomm as an Investment
As someone who follows Qualcomm closely, here’s how I see it:
- Short-term outlook: I’m cautious. Between trade risks, Apple’s exit, and heavy competition from MediaTek, the stock could face more turbulence.
- Medium-term view: I think the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 gives Qualcomm staying power in premium smartphones, which supports steady cash flow.
- Long-term bet: Qualcomm’s expansion into AI PCs, automotive chips, and IoT could offset smartphone weakness. If they succeed here, today’s dip may look like a buying opportunity.
Personally, I hold a small position in QCOM and I’m not adding right now. But if shares dip closer to the $140 level, I’ll revisit the stock.
👉 For forecasts: NASDAQ Qualcomm stock predictions
Qualcomm FAQ:
Where is Qualcomm headquarters?
Qualcomm Incorporated is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Diego, California, and incorporated in Delaware.
Who is CEO of Qualcomm?
Cristiano Amon is President and Chief Executive Officer of Qualcomm Incorporated, and also serves on the Company’s board of directors.
Is Qualcomm better than Nvidia?
Qualcomm offers a more grounded opportunity with strong fundamentals, a better valuation, and an improved technical setup.
Does Apple use Qualcomm?
For years, Apple sourced modems from Qualcomm, the world’s biggest supplier of the chips. Qualcomm chips also power Android gadgets and Windows laptops that compete with Apple’s devices.
Why is Qualcomm stock going down?
Shares of Qualcomm Inc. fell about 5% in after-hours trading on Wednesday after the company missed revenue expectations for some of its business segments, even as overall revenue performance cleared Wall Street’s bar.
When does Qualcomm report earnings?
Based on past history, we believe QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) will report their next quarter earnings on November 05, 2025.
Conclusion
Qualcomm’s stock slide is a reality check for investors, highlighting real risks tied to Apple’s modem independence, weak licensing, and intensifying competition. At the same time, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 shows Qualcomm still leads in smartphone performance, offering users more computing speed, gaming capability, and AI processing than ever before.
Whether Qualcomm stock rises or falls from here depends less on this chipset’s performance and more on how well the company adapts beyond smartphones. For tech fans, the new Snapdragon is worth getting excited about. For investors, caution and patience may be the best strategy until Qualcomm proves it can offset its Apple-shaped revenue gap.
